Adams County: Des Moines man charged with sexual exploitation of minor after undercover operation

Craig L. Christianson II, 45, of Des Moines, was taken into custody Jan. 22, at 12th and John streets in Corning on the charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class B felony; enticing a minor under the age of 16 and grooming, both Class D felonies.

According to Adams County reports, Christianson engaged in communication with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old female on Tinder. She informed Christianson of her age by stating she was 41 backwards and said if it was okay with Christianson to let her know and they could text outside of the app. Christianson provided the undercover officer with his cell phone number and they began texting. The undercover officer again told Christianson she was 14.

Christianson said he “didn’t really have a problem with age,” but questioned how he knew if he was really talking to the girl. He continued to text about things sexual in nature and requested sexually explicit pictures of the girl before encouraging her to sneak out of the house and telling her how to shut off her location on Life360. He also made arrangements to meet the girl, invited her to stay at his house for the night and go to his place of work the the following day.

Christianson drove to a location in Corning where he planned to meet the girl and was subsequently apprehended by law enforcement.

Christianson was transported to the Adams County Jail and held on $35,000 cash or surety bond.